CORAL GABLES, Fla., Aug 21, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. today reported that animal data from a new study sponsored by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory appears to demonstrate that taking vigabatrin leads to rapid weight loss and reduced food intake. The data was published online as of August 20, 2008 in the journal Synapse, a prestigious peer-reviewed neuroscience publication.

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners is currently evaluating the use of CPP-109, its version of vigabatrin, for the treatment of both cocaine and methamphetamine addiction. Two FDA-approved U.S. Phase II clinical trials are currently ongoing. CPP-109 is an orally administered, small molecule drug which inhibits psychostimulant-induced dopamine release.

According to the study published in Synapse, a total of 50 adolescent and adult animals, all genetically bred to be obese, were assigned to either a control group or groups that received vigabatrin at various dose levels and were monitored for up to 40 days. The controls received daily salt water (saline) injections, while those in the study groups received up to 300 milligrams of vigabatrin per day. All animals received injections for two, 7-13 day periods, with breaks in between.

At the end of the 40 day period, all animals receiving vigabatrin weighed significantly less than the control subjects. In fact, those animals that were bred to be obese experienced a loss of up to 19 percent of their total weight, while non-obese animals lost 12 to 20 percent of their total weight following short-term treatment with vigabatrin. Amy DeMarco of Brookhaven led the study working in the laboratory of Brookhaven Lab senior scientist, Stephen Dewey, Ph.D. (Dr. Dewey is the Chairman of Catalyst's Scientific Advisory Board). The Brookhaven National Laboratory press release may be accessed at http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/PR_display.asp?prID=811.

Commenting on today's news, Patrick J. McEnany, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, noted, "We are very encouraged by this new animal data, which shows the long-term prospects of using vigabatrin for the treatment of obesity, which is currently at epidemic proportions in the U.S. In addition to development of CPP-109 for treatment of cocaine, methamphetamine and other substance addictions, the compound appears to provide a platform for multiple indications, including as a potential treatment for obsessive compulsive disorders. In fact, as previously reported, we are currently seeking to conduct a Phase II clinical trial later this year evaluating CPP-109 for the treatment of binge eating disorder."

About Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of prescription drugs for the treatment of addiction and obsessive compulsive disorders. The Company has obtained from Brookhaven National Laboratory an exclusive worldwide license for eleven patents and two patents pending in the United States relating to the right to use vigabatrin to treat a wide variety of substance addictions and obsessive compulsive disorders. Catalyst has also been granted rights to Brookhaven's vigabatrin-related foreign patents or patents pending in more than 30 countries. The Company's initial product candidate is CPP-109, which is Catalyst's version of vigabatrin. CPP-109 has been granted "Fast Track" status by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cocaine addiction. This indicates that the FDA has recognized that CPP-109 is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition for which there is no effective treatment and which demonstrates the potential to address unmet medical needs. For more information about the Company, please visit www.catalystpharma.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. A number of factors, including the Company's ability to successfully complete those clinical trials required for it to file a new drug application for CPP-109, the Company's ability to complete such trials on a timely basis within the budgets established for such trials, the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property and those other factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2007 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 that the Company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), could adversely affect the Company. Copies of the Company's filings with the SEC are available from the SEC, may be found on the Company's website or may be obtained upon request from the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.

Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.